There are a number of reasons why you may be considering fitting a composite fence to the top of a brick wall in your garden. You may be looking to improve the privacy of your outdoor space or simply hoping to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
Luckily, installing composite fencing on top of a brick wall is fairly easy and doesn’t take too long to do.
In this guide, we’ll give you some helpful advice about staying safe whilst completing the job. We’ll also walk you through the installation process step-by-step.
Staying Safe When Installing Composite Fencing
If you’re planning to install a composite fence on top of a brick wall the most important thing to do is to keep yourself safe. This is far more crucial than efficiency, accuracy, or convenience.
Fortunately, keeping yourself safe when installing a composite fence is very easy. If you follow a few simple steps then you will be perfectly safe for the duration of the job.
Wear the right gear
Before you start the installation process, your mind will most likely be full of all kinds of information you’re trying to remember.
Do I have enough post supports and rawl plugs? Will I need to cover an expansion gap? What is the panel cap attached to? What’s the correct fence post width?
One thing that you may have forgotten about is personal protective equipment. This is something that’s very important for this type of job.
Before you begin to install the composite fencing you should make sure you have a dust mask, protective eyewear, and gloves. It’s also best to wear trousers and long sleeves.
Everyone involved in the work should be wearing these items of PPE.
Use a friend
Although you may be tempted to do the job on your own, we’d always recommend asking someone else to help you. They can assist you with things like carrying a heavy fence panel or fence slat, creating support fixing holes, and setting up opposing fence posts.
Having assistance will make the job a lot safer and it should also mean that it takes less time to complete.
Check your tools
When installing a composite fence, you can use standard tools but you should always make sure that you thoroughly inspect them before you begin. You need to check that they’re all sharp, and clean and that any blades are firmly secure.
Having a blunt saw is very dangerous and could lead to injuries. Make sure that any tools that will be used by you or by the people helping you are fully safe.
Making Sure The Wall Is Safe
Before you install composite fencing on top of a brick wall you need to assess the wall to make sure that it’s in good condition. This also goes for any other type of wall such as concrete. The wall needs to be able to handle the extra load without being compromised.
Although composite fence panels are fairly light there will also be fence posts, post supports and other accessories on top of the wall. If plants grow along the fence panels this will also add extra weight.
The extra fence height on top of the wall will also expand the surface area meaning that more strain will be put on the wall during high winds.
We’d recommend asking an expert to assess the structural integrity of the wall before you start. They can also give you help and support when you install the fence.
Fitting Composite Fencing On Top Of A Brick Wall: Step-By-Step Guide
1) Spacing the fence posts and slats
Composite materials expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate. To allow for this you need to make sure that you leave an expansion gap of 4mm between each fence slat and post.
Also, when you measure the space in between the post supports you need to allow for the fence post width, the fence slat expansion gap, and the fence slat width. The combined total of these measurements will give you the correct amount of spacing.
2) Installing the fence posts
Now, using the fence section dimensions you need to mark the run of the post support centres. At the base of the post, you will need to pre-drill 2x3mm pilot holes that go through to the post stand inside.
Once you’ve positioned the post supports you will need to use a spirit level to check that the supports are square and level. Whilst the supports are in position you need to mark out the support fixing holes using the 4 pilot holes in the supports.
Then, pre-drill the support fixing holes to the right depth and make sure the post stand is firmly secure. The fence post will then need to be placed onto the fence post support. If the height of the fence post needs to be adjusted you can trim it down to the correct level.
3) Installing the fence panels
Once you’ve put the posts in place you’ll need to prepare the panel cap. To do this, take the panel cap clip and insert the narrow part into one of the sides of the panel cap.
With the panel cap attached, the panel cap clips will need to be slid down the post grooves in the opposing fence posts.
Once these are in place, you can now start to install the fence panels. Slide the first fence panel down the post grooves so that it is sitting over the panel cap. Secure this fence panel and then slide the next fence panel down the grooves on top of the first panel.
Repeat this process for each fence slat until the correct fence height is reached.
For each of the composite fence panels, you will need to finish them by attaching cap clips to each side of a panel cap and then attach this to the top of the fence posts with the groove facing down.
You can use this same process when installing composite fencing into other solid foundation materials such as concrete.
If you’re installing composite fencing into soft ground then the process will be different and you’ll have to secure the fencing with spikes or other fencing materials.
Once you’ve followed these instructions your composite fence will now be installed on top of your brick wall.
FAQs
How tall is my fence allowed to be?
In the UK, the legal limit for fence height is 6’6″ or 2 metres. If you want to build a fence that will be taller than this then you will need to get planning permission from the local authorities.
Our range of composite fencing boards comes in small modules that stack up on top of each other. This means that when you install them you have full control over the height of your fence.
What are the benefits of installing composite fencing?
There are many advantages that composite has over other fencing materials such as wood and vinyl. A composite fence is very low-maintenance and doesn’t need to be treated, sealed, or stained.
It is also resistant to water and rot which means it will last for a long time. Composite is also resistant to UV rays, scratching and warping, and is very eco-friendly.
Do I need to install composite posts for my composite fence?
Our composite fence boards are designed to be able to slot in between existing concrete posts at your property. However, we also have a range of composite posts if you want to replace your concrete posts.
This would then mean that you would have a full composite fence system installed at your property. This would be visually pleasing and also highly durable.
Do composite fences cost more than wooden fences?
Composite fences do cost more than wooden fences in terms of upfront costs. The main reason for this is that the production of composite is more labour intensive.
However, as you don’t need to treat, seal, or stain composite, you will save money over the course of your fence’s service life.
Browse Ecoscape’s Amazing Range Of Composite Fencing Today
All of the boards in our range of composite fencing are built to last and come with a 20-year warranty. They’re available in 5 contemporary colours including graphite, silver birch and spiced oak.
If you buy your fence boards from Ecoscape you can guarantee that they’ll be durable, water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and UV-resistant. So, order your free quote or sample today to get started.
